What do all those ribbons mean?

When a judge evaluates the cats and makes awards, the ribbons are given out according to color class, and to each male and female within that color class. Sometimes, it might seem like every cat gets a blue ribbon, but that’s because sometimes a cat is the only one of its sex in its color class.

Here’s the order in which the judge will hang his or her ribbons:

FIRST
in the color
& sex grouping

SECOND
in the color
& sex grouping

THIRD
in the color
& sex grouping

Next, all of the males and females
in a color class compete for
these two ribbons:

BEST OF
COLOR CLASS

2nd BEST OF
COLOR CLASS

Finally, all of the males and females
in the whole breed or division
compete for these two ribbons.

BEST OF BREED
or DIVISION

2nd BEST OF
BREED or DIVISION

If there are any Champions or Premiers in the breed or division, then only those cats compete for this ribbon.

BEST CHAMPION/PREMIER
OF BREED or DIVISION

This ribbon is given only to cats
competing in the Household Pet Class

MERIT AWARD

These are the ribbons that the owners are really, really hoping their cat will be given!

These fancy rosettes are awarded, by each judge, to their “top cats” in the show.